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From celebrated to suspended: B Dayananda IPS’ ouster after stampede draws flak

Citizens, former police officers and civil society view the suspension as a scapegoating tactic to shield political leadership from accountability.

Nolan Patrick Pinto

Published Jun 06, 2025 | 3:03 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 06, 2025 | 3:03 PM

B Dayananda suspended

B Dayananda.

Synopsis: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the suspension of Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda in the wake of a stampede near the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, the government’s action has triggered an intense backlash

In a move that has sparked outrage across Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah suspended Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda during a late-night press conference held at the Vidhana Soudha on Thursday, 5 June.

The decision was made in the wake of a stampede near the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which left 11 people dead and many injured during the felicitation event organised to celebrate the IPL victory of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

The chief minister stated that the government had decided to take stringent action against police officials, citing serious lapses in planning and coordination during the RCB victory parade at Chinnaswamy Stadium on 4 June. In addition to Commissioner Dayananda, several other police personnel have also been suspended.

However, the government’s action has triggered an intense backlash from citizens, former police officers, and civil society, many of whom view the suspension as a scapegoating tactic to shield political leadership from accountability.

Also Read: IPS officers given additional charges following suspensions

‘Darkest day in Karnataka police history’

Among the first to react was former Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao, who launched a scathing criticism of the chief minister and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on X.

“Mr. Siddaramaiah has gone into panic mode. The suspension of Bengaluru City Police Commissioner is the darkest day in the history of the Karnataka Police. The prize for telling the truth and working hard to keep the city safe is suspension,” Rao wrote.

“Everyone in Karnataka knows that it is the uncontrollable Deputy Chief Minister who orchestrated the death march. No Chief Minister has ever appeared so helpless, cowardly, and panicky. This government has blood on its hands and has now lost its mind.”

Bhaskar Rao’s post gained traction immediately, with thousands sharing and commenting in support of his statement.

Citizens rally behind Dayananda

Ordinary citizens also took to X to express shock, anger, and disappointment over the government’s decision. The overwhelming sentiment reflected support for Dayananda, who many said had brought transparency, accessibility, and efficiency to the police department since his appointment.

“I have heard only praise for B. Dayananda sir in my circles since he was appointed CP. He is a local Kannadiga, understands the city, the people, and technology – and has done immense good for Bengaluru. It is heartbreaking to see a real public servant punished like this,” wrote one user.

“Upright and efficient officers like Mr. Dayananda have been unfairly suspended while the real culprits – the Chief Minister and his deputy – continue in office. The police had reportedly requested the event to be postponed, but the political leadership insisted otherwise,” said another.

“This man, @CPBlr B Dayananda, didn’t deserve this. The citizens of Bengaluru should protest this unjust suspension. If anyone should resign, it’s D.K. Shivakumar. We deserve better governance,” said a third voice.

Shajan Samuel, a well-known filmmaker who has worked closely with the Bengaluru police department in the past, also condemned the decision.

“The suspension of B. Dayananda and four of his team members is a shock. I’ve known Dayananda sir for years. He helped me with my film, The Resilient Bangalore Traffic Cop. He is an upright and able police officer made a scapegoat for government failures,” Samuel wrote.

Also Read: RCB marketing head, officials of event management firm arrested

A distinguished career and the sudden fall

Dayananda, a native of Ranebennur in Karnataka, is a 1994-batch IPS officer. He assumed charge as Bengaluru City Police Commissioner on 31 May 2023, succeeding CH Pratap Reddy. His appointment was widely welcomed, especially by locals who saw in him a leader with both administrative skill and a deep understanding of the city’s unique challenges.

On his first day in office, Dayananda had said: “My focus will be on handling cybercrime and effective traffic management. The people of Bengaluru still have trust in the police. I will strive to retain and build on that trust.”

Dayananda had previously served as the Joint Commissioner of Police, overseeing both Crime and Traffic. His reputation as a clean, efficient officer with a commitment to public service had made him a respected figure in the police force and among the public alike.

It was in 1998 that he began his service as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ACP) in Puttur in the Dakshina Kannada district. He then served as Superintendent of Police (SP) of Dakshina Kannada, Kolar, Chitradurga, Belagavi, and Vijaypura districts until 2008.

In 2008, he was promoted as a Deputy Inspector General (DIG). He was the Joint Commissioner of Police in Bengaluru in 2011 and then became the Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) in 2013. He was appointed the Mysuru Commissioner of Police in 2015 and Inspector General of State Intelligence in 2016. From August 2020, he served as Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) of Intelligence, till he became the Police Commissioner of Bengaluru.

Sources close to the police department told South First that this suspension comes at a particularly devastating moment for Dayananda — he was due for a promotion to Director General (DG) rank in June. The suspension is likely to derail that elevation, jeopardising his decades-long career.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)

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